MANILA — Businessman and former lawmaker Chavit Singson alleged that his arrest over a cyber libel case was intended to “discredit and intimidate” him amid his calls for an investigation into alleged flood control corruption.

“As I intensified my calls for a full investigation into the flood control controversy and sought answers regarding the use of flood control funds intended to protect Filipino communities from flooding, efforts to discredit and intimidate me soon followed,” Singson said in a statement.

Police said a warrant of arrest was served on Singson at his residence in Barangay Ugong Norte, Quezon City on Thursday afternoon. Court records showed he later posted bail amounting to P60,000.

However, Singson denied that he was arrested at his home, saying he voluntarily went to the police station to post bail.

“What should have been a routine legal proceeding was an attempt to publicly humiliate me through the unauthorized circulation of my booking photograph,” he added.

He also questioned what he described as unusual circumstances surrounding the case, including the assignment of a judge outside his home province and the pace of the proceedings.

Singson has previously said he is willing to testify in the flood control investigation.

“If asking where the people’s money went and who benefited from it is enough to earn a cyber libel case, then it only proves that these questions are hitting where they hurt most,” he said.

“Hindi ba kapansin-pansin na habang lumalabas ang mga detalye ng korapsyon, ang mga nagsasalita tungkol dito ang siyang pinatatahimik at sinasampahan ng kaso?” he added.

“I will not be silenced. No arrest, no case, and no amount of political pressure will stop me from pursuing the truth and uncovering who the real mastermind is behind this scandal,” he said.

As of writing, details on the cyber libel complaint, including the complainant, have not been made public.